NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Wildcat D, Wildcat C, Wildcat B, Wildcat A, NH
Trails
Trails: Polecat ski trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Monday, April 22, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: plenty of parking at Wildcat Ski Area. Ski area closed today, and looks to be closed for the season 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow/Ice - Postholes 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: none 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes:  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: fine for dogs 
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: 5 of us hiked out and back from ski area up Polecat, across ridge and back the same way. Snowshoes with televators were appreciated for the climb up the ski slopes, then spikes were much better for the ridge all the way from D to A and back again. Spikes used back down the Polecat; snow had softened considerably in the afternoon. Semi-stable narrow monorail on the ridge. Mostly we could stay on the hardpacked monorail but postholing is inevitable, just takes a couple inches to one side to disappear to hip level. Travel was slow across the ridge, took longer than usual since the key to success was to step gingerly and concentrate on each step. We considered descending to Carter Notch but in the end we retraced our steps back to D and down the ski slopes. We could hike faster on the way back, with our steps (and missteps) evident from the way over. Snow became very soft on the bottom part of ski slopes around 3 pm. Expect monorail to deteriorate further in the coming mild days which could make traveling the ridge much more challenging. Weather turned out way better than expected. The rain showers predicted never arrived; mostly sunny and clear. Great day out with Ken, Karen, John and Neil.  
Name
Name: Donna D 
E-Mail
E-Mail: winnie@vermontel.net 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-04-23 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

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